2012 NFL Mock Draft: Grading Peter King's Latest Mock

Nobody truly knows what is going to happen once the clock starts ticking at the 2012 NFL draft—not even the teams involved.

OK, well, we do know that Andrew Luck is going to go No. 1 and Robert Griffin III No. 2, but other than that, all bets are off.

Some are more in the know than others, and one of those people is Sports Illustrated's Peter King. The longtime NFL writer does a phenomenal job with his column and his mock drafts always offer up some interesting intel.

Picks Nos. 1-5 are complete home runs. The Colts made the right call in selecting Luck and the Redskins, Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, primarily, made the only move they could make in trying to save their jobs.

The Vikes get better on the entire left side of the line with the addition of Kalil, and the Browns would be foolish not to select the best player in the draft not named Andrew Luck.

Ingram is far from a sure thing and has seen his stock cool of late. The debate rages on about which defense he fits in better, but the Seahawks are a complete wild card at No. 12. They could use him, but they could go another way, too, sending Ingram down the board.

DeCastro is one of the best players in the draft, but it is not easy to select a guard so high in the draft. He's a special player, which is why it makes sense that the Cardinals nab him here, but it wouldn't be surprising if he falls.

The Cowboys' need at safety is great, and Barron is as hot a prospect as there is right now, but his upside is limited.

Who Is a Better Pick for the Jets?

UpshawPoeSubmit Votevote to see results

Who Is a Better Pick for the Jets?

Upshaw

64.6%

Poe

35.4%

Total votes: 189

Falling down to No. 15 may actually be the best thing for Coples, especially if he winds up in Philadelphia. King couldn't be more right in what he says about the fit, and we know the Eagles love their D-linemen.

King says the Jets "should" draft Upshaw at No. 16, and I couldn't agree more. His decision to go with Poe is a bit surprising, as the Memphis big man continues to fall down the board to where the Steelers are hungrily waiting.

If Ingram is on the board, he's a great pick for the Bengals. He's a better football player than athlete and grades out in this area.

Some people actually consider Kendall Wright the best wide receiver in the draft. They're wrong about that, and King actually says he thinks the Bears should take a lineman—Jonny Martin, in particular—with this pick. Wright would give QB Jay Cutler a potential playmaker opposite Brandon Marshall, but it all depends on how he develops.

The Titans are going to wind up with a defensive lineman one way or another, but which one is heavily up for debate. Mercilus is a tremendously talented player, but there is no guarantee he'll succeed or even be remotely successful.

Dre Kirkpatrick is as talented as they come, but he needs to put it all together if he's going to be an elite cornerback.

And finally, Jonny Martin of Stanford has as much potential as any linemen in the draft, but he needs to get considerably stronger. The Browns, meanwhile, could do a lot of interesting things with this pick—including adding Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden.

After discussing the possibility at No. 22, the Browns make good on the option and trade back into the first round to land Weeden. He could immediately step in and take over, and it wouldn't at all be surprising if he wins the job.

Worthy isn't worthy of a first-round grade, but he has a ton of talent and comes with huge upside. The Packers have needs up front and he fits.

And the Lions, who moved down, make a surprise pick of Silatolu, with a number of other big names on the board. It's not surprising to see King have them pick a guy they like more than the remaining bigger prospects.